अन्तः अस्ति प्रारंभः।
The end is the beginning.
A caterpillar dies, to birth a butterfly. Water evaporates to rain down. Dead carcasses fill the stomachs of vultures.Life gives way to death and death to life. In a vicious circle of different karmas...
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Something had changed and Mihira knew it.
The next day at breakfast, thankfully they were not required to mingle with the princes of Hastinapur. They could stay and have a quiet breakfast at a dining room in the guest wing or they could choose to go into the main palace to have a more chaotic breakfast with the Dwarkan family.
Mihira, dressed in a soft blue saree attended the breakfast but did not eat, she did not have the habit of eating early in the morning.
(Years of borderline starvation had ruined her stomach against metabolism.)
"Maa, I cannot believe the audacity these Hastinapur princes have," Rukmaketu said while Mihira was mindlessly embroidering the red cloth she had taken to carrying around. Being free of work felt like a novelty and she did not know what to do with herself. She raised her eyebrows as Rukmaketu leaned forward, dramatising his moves,"I heard Prince Duryodhan say yesterday that they did not bring their sister because she was to be married in six months and her future husband, who is already decided, did not wish for her to mingle with so many unknown men."
Mihira made a face. She glanced at Rukmi, who had an equally disgusted look on his face. He shook his head,"Their ridiculousness knows no bounds."
Rukmarath nodded. "No, seriously, brother. I even heard a rumour that Prince Duryodhan demanded a room in the main palace because he felt as if he was being insulted by setting camp with the rest of the guests."
Mihira rolled her eyes. The rumour seemed far fetched but knowing the man who was the subject of such rumours, Mihira couldn't help but believe them. "Honestly, if even princes would not behave with courtesy, I worry for their state." She said, frowning at Rukmanetra when he pushed a plate of peeled pomegranates towards her.
He raised an eyebrow, daring her to challenge him. Mihira gave him a look. They both knew she'd win if she challenged him in a battle of wills. He sighed, his challenging look fading into something gentler, a soft pleading.
She knew he'd keep giving her the look until she gave in. Just to be sarcastic, she used her fingers instead of a spoon and popped a single pomegranate seed into her mouth. He gave her a blank look in return, absolutely done with her childishness. Mihira resisted the urge to give him a sarcastic flying kiss and settled for an equally sarcastic smile instead.
Her attention shifted back to the main conversation just in time for the King to speak,"Whatever your opinions are, you boys will keep them to yourselves. They are now a part of Rukmini's in-laws and I will not tolerate it if my family missteps."
Mihira wondered if she could misstep. She had several ideas. Just as the thought flashed in her mind, Queen Shuddhamati looked at her with an unimpressed smirk. "You are included in this warning too, Mihira. We do not need any issues."
Beside her, Rukmarath snorted. "You have five sons and a daughter, Maa. If you did not want issues, you should have adopted a horse."
"Or a dog," Mihira offered, grinning,"My Virat is very well behaved."
